The former Scottish Health Secretary won the SNP leadership race on March 27th after narrowly defeating Kate Forbes by 26,032 votes to 23,890.
A new Government means a new opportunity to campaign on life issues. Both abortion and assisted suicide are devolved to Holyrood, so Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) decide on these issues.
Pro-abortion pledges
During the leadership race, Humza Yousaf pledged his “unequivocal support for buffer zones” which would criminalise peaceful pro-life people in Scotland, and block women from accessing support and information during pregnancy.
Buffer zones have been strongly criticised as an outrageous assault on civil liberties which remove a lifeline for many women. SPUC has stressed that any attempt to introduce buffer zone legislation would be an incomprehensible overreach of power.
During the leadership raise, Mr Yousaf also stated that he said that he is committed to “bringing forward decriminalisation proposals in the current parliamentary term”, which would remove abortion from the it’s legal framework, and could result in abortion being made available up until birth and for any reason.
Scotland deserves a life affirming leader
SPUC’s Michael Robinson, Executive Director (Public Affairs and Legal Services), said: “The SNP have elected a leader who is committed to criminalising peaceful pro-life people through buffer zone legislation, and ensuring babies can be killed in barbaric late term abortions.
“Scotland is already facing soaring abortion rates, with 13,758 unborn children killed in Scotland last year alone and countless mothers and families hurt. Under Humza Yousaf’s pro-abortion pledges, Scotland could end up with the most extreme pro-abortion legislation in Europe.
“Scotland deserves a life affirming leader, who is unafraid to stand up and speak in defence of unborn babies and their mothers.
“SPUC hopes that Humza Yousaf will work to protect the rights of all Scottish people, including unborn children.”
